In this video, former Riverside Cafe collective member Mary Alice Smalls reminisces about the evolution of the food served at the cafe. The cafe began with an emphasis on vegetarianism and affordability, and then changed with the community’s greater awareness of the value of local and organic food and the plight of farmworkers.

Mary Alice also touches upon the various subcultures represented on the collective (including anarchists and Deadheads) and the motivations people had for joining (good food, to be part of the co-op culture).

Look out for another video coming to you tomorrow about the transition of the cafe to the New Riv. And help us finish Radical Roots and tell the story of the Twin Cities’ food cooperatives and collectives by donating at Seed & Spark, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter.